Mr. David Tannock , Superintendent of the Botanical Gardens was born at Tarbolton, Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1872. He acquired his scientific knowledge in the Glasgow Technical College, and at the Royal Gardens, Kew, where he was engaged for three years, When Dr. Morris, C.M.G., Assistant Director of Kew, was appointed Commissioner of the Imperial Department of Agriculture for the West Indies Mr. Tannock accompanied him as officer in charge of the agricultural school at Dominca, Leeward Islands. Five years later, on the recommendation of Sir Willliam Thistleton Dyer. K.C.M.G., he was appointed to his present position, out of nearly one hundred applicants. Since Mr. Tannock came to Dunedin, the Botanical Gardens, and indeed all the reserves under his charge, have shown marked signs of improvement.